Cover of A King, and No King

A King, and No King

by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

First published
1619
Reading level
Easy
Price
Free

About the book

"A King, and No King" by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher is a tragicomedy written in 1611. King Arbaces returns victorious from war, only to discover an overwhelming and forbidden attraction to his sister Panthea, whom he hasn't seen since childhood. As he struggles desperately against his incestuous passion, political intrigue and questions of royal legitimacy swirl around him. The play explores themes of self-control, identity, and the consequences of absolute power, while keeping audiences guessing until a surprising revelation changes everything.

  • Tragicomedy
  • Kings and rulers
  • Political plays

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #12312. A King, and No King on Wikipedia.

More free books by Francis Beaumont

About Francis Beaumont